Inside The Vikings

Will Any Vikings Players Follow Mike Zimmer to the Cowboys?

Zimmer could ask the Cowboys to add some of his old players this offseason.
Will Ragatz|
Will Any Vikings Players Follow Mike Zimmer to the Cowboys?
Will Any Vikings Players Follow Mike Zimmer to the Cowboys?

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Minnesota Vikings

Former Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer was officially introduced as the Dallas Cowboys' defensive coordinator this week. After two years away from the NFL, this feels like a perfect landing spot for Zimmer, who previously coached in Dallas from 1994-2006 and now takes over a defense teeming with talent.

One subplot to watch is whether or not Zimmer might ask the Cowboys' front office to add any of his old Minnesota players to the roster this offseason. 

The biggest name to keep an eye on would be Danielle Hunter, who is the Vikings' top defensive free agent and one of the premiere edge rushers on the market this spring. He spent seven seasons with Zimmer, breaking out as a star in 2018 and '19. Hunter would be a massive addition for the Cowboys if they're willing to outbid the Vikings and other teams for his services.

Another is Harrison Smith, the 35-year-old safety who could end up being released by the Vikings this spring if he doesn't decide to retire. It would make sense if Smith wanted to play one final year or two under the man who coached him for eight seasons in Minnesota.

What about Anthony Barr? He was Zimmer's first draft pick in Minnesota in 2014, making four Pro Bowls and spending seven years as one of the lynchpins of his defenses. Barr, who turns 32 soon, was with the Cowboys in 2022, then was out of football until the Vikings signed him last November. Maybe there could be a reunion there.

Other Vikings free agents who played under Zimmer for at least a season include D.J. Wonnum, Troy Dye, James Lynch, and Nick Vigil. It'll also be interesting to see if the Cowboys re-sign Jayron Kearse, who has been a starting safety for Dallas for the last three years after beginning his career with Zimmer's Vikings.

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Will Ragatz
WILL RAGATZ

Will Ragatz is a senior writer for Vikings On SI, who also covers the Twins, Timberwolves, Gophers, and other Minnesota teams. He is a credentialed Minnesota Vikings beat reporter, covering the team extensively at practices, games and throughout the NFL draft and free agency period. Ragatz attended Northwestern University, where he studied at the prestigious Medill School of Journalism. During his time as a student, he covered Northwestern Wildcats football and basketball for SB Nation’s Inside NU, eventually serving as co-editor-in-chief in his junior year. In the fall of 2018, Will interned in Sports Illustrated’s newsroom in New York City, where he wrote articles on Major League Baseball, college football, and college basketball for SI.com.

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